There are reportedly more species of poisonous plants in tropical regions than in colder ones. It is not uncommon to use foliage and blooms from the garden for decorations. Below is a short list of plants that should not come in contact with any type of food or drink. When in doublt remember that one should beware of plants with milky juice.  Bitterness of flavor is also a clue to the presence of toxic substances. 

Affecting the Heart: Jerusalems Cherry, Lucky Nut, Mistletoe, Oleander, Rubber Vine

Affecting the Brain: Angel's Trumpet, Chalice Vine, Day Jessamine, Devil's Trumpet, Gold Top

Affecting the Central Nervous System: Black Nightshade, Carolina Jessamine, Chinaberry, Chinese Wisteria, Gloriosa Lily, Pokeweed, Violet Lancepod, Water Hemlock

Affecting the Digestive System: Akee, Amaryllis, Azelia, Balsam Pear, Bellyache Bush, Castor Bean, Coral Plant, Coontie, Desert Rose, False Sago Palm, Green Gill, Lumbang Nut, Madagascar Olive, Mast-Wood, Physic Nut Rattlebox

Affecting the Liver: Butterweed, Lantana, Showy Crotalaria

Affecting the Mouth, Throat and Skin: Cashew Nut, Bamboo Palm, Dumb Cane, Elephant's Ear, Golondrina, Hunter's Robe, Kassod Tree, Mexican Flame Vine, Moonflower, Ortiga, Selloum, Water Lettuce

Many plants that are used in the florist trade, such as foxglove, hydrangea, lily-of-the-valley, sweet pea, and English ivy, are fully as toxic, yet the incidence of poisoning has not been so great as to be damaging to their popularity.

If a person, child or adult, seemingly in good health, suddenly evidences distress and is known to  have been handling plants, a specimen of it should be supplied to the physician. Any assistance of this kind can be very important in aiding diagnosis, for the symptoms of most poisons cannot by themselves be distinguised from symptoms of disease. Cases of plant poisoning may evidence symptoms seemingly identical with acute in-digestion, apendicitis, epilepsy, meningitis, cerebral hemorrhage, tetanus or cholera.  Symptoms of oleander poisoning resemble those of an overdose of digitalis.

For more information on these and other poisonous plants, visit the following web site:    http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/